Team B has been reviewing GL 3.1 [1]. In reviewing GL 3.1 L3 SC3, A
mechanism for finding the expanded form of acronyms and abbreviations is
available, [2] and some of the associated HTML techniques, we have
uncovered the need for updated definitions of abbreviation and acronym.
The current and proposed definitions as well as some rationale are below:
<current definitions>
Acronym -A word made from the initial letters of a name that contains
several words. For example, NOAA is a word made from the initial letters
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United
States. SNCF is a French acronym that contains the initial letters of the
Societe National des Chemins de Fer, the French national railroad.
Abbreviation -The shortened form of a word. For example, "Dr." is the
abbreviation for the English word "doctor." "M." is the abbreviation for
the French word "Monsieur."
</current definitions>
<proposed definitions>
abbreviation -The shortened form of a word. For example, "est." may be
the abbreviation for the English words "established" or "estimate." "Cie"
is the abbreviation for the French word "compagnie" (company).
acronym - A word made from the initial letters of a name that contains
several words. For example, NOAA is a word made from the initial letters
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United
States. SNCF is a French acronym that contains the initial letters of the
Societe National des Chemins de Fer, the French national railroad. All
acronyms are abbreviations.
Note: Some English language sources require that acronyms form a word
that is spoken as syllables while others accept any grouping of the
initial letters of words as an acronym. WCAG 2.0 uses the latter, less
restrictive definition.
</proposed definitions>
<rationale>
Updated the examples for abbreviation since Dr. and M. seemed too common
in the respective languages to require expansion.
Updated the acronym definition to state that acronyms are abbreviations.
This allows the use of the HTML technique for <abbr> to be used for both
acronyms and abbreviations. XHTML2 is removing the acronym element in
favor of just abbr [3].
Since the English sources have different definitions of acronym, added
note to clearly state which definition WCAG 2.0 is following. Selected the
less restrictive definition since XHTML 2.0 is moving towards the removal
of the acronym element and just using abbr.
</rationale>
[1] http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/#meaning
[2] http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/#meaning-located
[3] http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml2/mod-text.html#sec_9.1
Becky Gibson
Web Accessibility Architect
IBM Emerging Internet Technologies
5 Technology Park Drive
Westford, MA 01886
Voice: 978 399-6101; t/l 333-6101
Email: gibsonb@us.ibm.com